ADegenerate
Well-Known Member
Likewise, Otamendi seems to be defended and his partner blamed. Otamendi has been positionally awful, cost us plenty of goals regardless of partner.
Kompany + Demichellis, Otamendi or Managala all offered a solid defence. Take Kompany away and we never look good.
I'm prepaired to give both Otamendi and Stones a chance when we have top level centre backs.
Stones & Otamendi both look better on the right hand side, normally with Sagna at rightback.
They both have clear qualities and some failings. I think Stones' faults are easier to iron out. Otamendi's fault seems totally ingrained in him.
What's your definition of a top level CB? How many of them play in england? I think everyone here has had unrealistic expectations for Stones, Mangala, Otamendi, and I'm sure it'll be the same with whoever is next in line. We all want somebody with the quality of vinnie but good luck buying that. There are loads of great forwards, midfielders, fullbacks and wingers out there and very few complete CB's. It's impossible to buy this mythical CB like all of you guys seem to have expected us to have now by now or are expecting us to buy our next go round.. The problem is that England has been complete garbage at producing quality CB's and your best are dispersed throughout the country and never have a chance to develop together. The ones that could have been great never got a chance to play because everyone wants a quick fix. Maybe Tosin and Cam would be the next Ramos/Pique? We'll never find out. This isn't Germany/Italy/Spain where we you can just pick up the best in the country anytime you like.
Who would you poach from the premier league and be legitimately stoked about it? The tottenham CB's maybe, then what? Whoever comes in is going to be flawed.
1) Barca: Spainish, aregentine (converted midfielder).
2) Real: Spain, port.
3) Bayern: German pairing.
4) Juve: Italian pairing.
5) PSG: Brazilian pairing
6) City, United, Chelsea, Arsenal (luiz/cahill, smalling/blind/baily, kosc/and two second rate german defenders) Random mix of nationalities and none of them elite CBs.
7) Athleti: Uruguayan/Uruguayan.
8) Tottenham: Belgium/Belgium.
You see the trend there? They keep the best in their country and partner them together and if they don't they link up two that actually know how the hell to talk to one another. Whoever comes in next will be a gamble and will be flawed. Maybe just stick with the same thing and see how that works out instead of having a revolving door.
Hey, just an observation though.